Goleta Speed Trap!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

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In the a.m. hours of Saturday, November 1, I was traveling south on Highway 101 toward Goleta from North County. As I approached the Ellwood/Barcara Resort area near Winchester, I noticed a CHP cruiser up ahead on the right shoulder. I slowed to about 72 mph along with the rest of the traffic, when I looked over and saw an officer crouched over and hiding in front of his cruiser pointing a speed gun.

I believe it is fair to say the rate of speed or flow of traffic is generally higher in rural areas or when driving into Goleta from the north and that traffic slows as you approach the city. The CHP conveniently set up their electronic sensors exactly in the area just before this slowing process begins. The cruiser appeared behind me with lights flashing, so I pulled over thinking I had a good chance at a “warning” because I was traveling at roughly 72 mph. The officer told me that I was traveling at a high rate of speed, so I mentioned what my odometer said.

The officer explained to me that his “laser-sensor,” which was positioned 700-feet before his cruiser, indicated I was traveling at 85 mph. I asked him how this “sensor” can pick out the correct vehicle? He told me that the “sensors” are vehicle selective (selective how!?). The odometer on my 1981 automobile maxes-out at 85, and I know I was not maxing-out. It took only10-minutes to be cited, and I was then back on the road.

When returning later that evening, I noticed two more vehicles pulled over in that same area. This was probably going on for at least eight hours. A speeding ticket will cost about $500. At 10 minutes per vehicle (minus breaks), this translates into maybe $20,000 over that eight-hour shift. That must effectively resolve any CHP budget shortfalls.

I question the ethics behind the CHP tactics (and just before the holidays, thank you very much!) as portable digital signs reading “Speed checked by laser-sensors” would be just as effective and without the dishonest undertones.

Comments

You were speeding and got a ticket...why does it matter how or where they set up?

Aside from that, they have been setting up in that area for at least 20+ years. I've seen as many as 6 patrol cars/motorcycles working at once. This is why many of the drivers who regularly pass through the area slow down when they hit Dos Pueblos.

I question the ethics behind a law-breaker who claims he has the right to exceed the posted 65 mph limits. Is this what we raised now in America - the rules are for fools, and it is all about meeeeeeee to say what is right or wrong when I enter the public domain. Glad you got caught.

If we don't have the balls as a country to jail the bankers and recent heads of state for their crimes against humanity, then yes, this man has every right to believe he can get away with driving 7 miles over the posted limit. Low hanging fruit. This is what America has sowed. Reap it. Iraq, again. All about $ $ $, but only if you already have it. Inequity.

Mr. Ken Stultz, of Buellton, if you feel that you were erroneously given a ticket for Speeding, please challenge your ticket in Court by showing up for the hearing and then hiring an Attorney and going into Court to plead your case.The CHP, have been targeting the area you received the ticket in for several years off and on, knowing this information now, please reduce your speed to avail paying the CHP in fines.Thank you.

The 101 has these interesting warning signs posted everywhere, they say: speed limit 65. If you follow the advice on these signs, you won't get a speeding ticket. If you don't follow the advice, why complain about how they caught you not following the advice? Set the speed control on your car to 65 and enjoy the scenery. You'll be a helluva a lot safer driver, and the other road users will appreciate your "sacrifice."